<@Ciara> [Date: Monday, April 12th, 2004] <@Ciara> [It's been a while since Kyon met up with Aka Uehara's editor, Umeyo Kobe, to discuss the possibility of a meeting between the two authors. Kaneko and Umeyo have been working on it ever since, but, unsurprisingly, the schedules of a professional athlete/student/businessman/author and an author/whatever the heck else he is have been tricky to line up.] <@Ciara> [Two days ago, Kyon received a call from Kaneko, apologizing that it's short notice, but a meeting has been arranged at a tea shop in Shinjuku for the late afternoon of the 12th.] <@Ciara> [Kyon invites Katie (naturally) and Haruko to accompany him.] <@Ciara> [The tea shop is named, amusingly enough, , and it occupies the bottom two stories of a taller building in the outskirts of Harajuku, equally inconvenient to two different subway stations.] <@Ciara> [You arrive and are shown upstairs to a private room in the front of the building. Interestingly enough, Aka isn't there yet.] <@Ciara> [What do you do? Session Start!] * Haruko is wearing a black pencil skirt with slit, it's reasonably long going past her knees and halfway down her calves. Her top is a grey sweater, actually a gift from Kyon a bit back that she's fitting into better again now thanks to dance work, with three quarter length sleaves. Overtop of that she's wearing a light black jacket, similar sleeve length. She's adjusted top of the sweater to try to hide a light red mark at the base of her neck that she had hoped would have vanished by now. * Kyon stands in the entryway, wearing a light grey button-down shirt tucked into black trousers, a light jacket in grey and orange over the top, and the regular baseball cap and sunglasses, looking around the space quietly, trying to decide where to get a seat. <@Ciara> [There is a round table set with a white tablecloth and four place settings.] <@Ciara> [Two of the place settings would make it easy to see out the window, but one of those would require having one's back to the entryway.] * Haruko walks up to the table, moving to take one of the seats with neither a window view nor one's back to the entryway. * Katie is there, near the entrance, noting escape routes, cameras if any, and the number of place settings. She's also in gray and black, dressed nicely but nothing super fancy: silk shirt, slacks, decorative scarf, matching bag. She isn't wearing the ear helpers at the moment. <@Ciara> [There are no cameras, and four place settings. The only way in or out is through the entryway, which leads to a small hallway and the stairs to the first floor.] <@Ciara> [Katie hears someone coming up the stairs.] * Haruko says softly. "Small reminder, I used a different name when I last met him. He'll likely goad me about that."' You can handle that. I think he's coming. * Katie goes to look out one of the windows <@Ciara> [The area is not as busy as the main parts of Shinjuku. There is a police box across the street.] * Haruko makes a small nod in agreement. * Haruko's hair is in a bun braid in back, for the record. Unlike her last meeting with Aka, she's not concealing the burn marks this time. * Kyon looks over the table with a cool expression, and turns to look over the table. "Right," he says coolly. "Stand by the seat you want." * Haruko does so. <@Ciara> [A waitress, in full Colonial American garb with a pale pink dress, white apron, and white cap, enters the room. She curtsies to the group. " Uehara sends his apologies. He will be just a few minutes late. He invites you to please have a seat, order something, and enjoy yourselves." There are menus already on the table.] * Katie sighs, and she turns, heading for one of the chairs that looks out the window. * Kyon smirks, and takes the chair that looks out towards the entryway, folding himself into the seat. * Haruko curties in return. "Thank you." She takes a seat and looks over the menu. She neither has a great view of the windows nor the door, but she doesn't need the distraction. * Kyon picks up his own menu, and looks over the available options. * Haruko, when the time comes to order, goes with Lady Grey tea and a blueberry scone. * Katie also glances at the menu. What is this. She doesn't feel very hungry. <@Ciara> [There is a selection of teas and small treats, like scones or ginger cakes.] * Kyon picks a couple of options - the most Japanese-seeming ones available - and then sets down the menu. <@Ciara> [The waitress takes Haruko's order and Kyon's - and just as she's about to turn back to Katie, Aka Uehara enters the room. He's a young man in his mid-20s, reddish-brown (likely dyed) hair pulled back into a queue, wearing round glasses (which he did not have when Haruko saw him). He's forgoing the Colonial dress today in favor of a stylish dark brown suit, black tie, and cream-colored shirt. "My apologies, my apologies!" he says, bowing. "I thank you for accepting my humble invitation."] * Haruko stands to return the bow, taking her time. She'll leave the speaking to others, for now at least. She keeps her lips pursed with only a hint of her usual smile. Her eyes are on the author, noting the differences from last time. * Kyon stands up and fixes his face in a formal, cool expression. "Thank you for making the time to meet with us." * Katie turns to look at Aka for a couple of seconds before standing and bowing. Look at her, so polite. <@Ciara> [Aka bows to the group again before carefully scooting past the waitress and taking his seat. "I'll have an Earl Grey, please," he tells the waitress.] * Kyon glances at Katie. She can order before him. * Katie gets waitressed! "Breakfast tea," she rasps softly while she sits back down. * Kyon orders his tea. <@Ciara> [The waitress nods, curtsies again, and scurries off to get you your tea and some snacks. You can probably order more snacks later.] <@Ciara> [Katie notices, on the wall behind Aka, a very tiny, very delicately painted portrait of a bird. It's really lovely.] * Kyon watches the waitress go, and then removes his sunglasses and hat, placing them on the table before him. * Katie studies the bird for a bit. It's a lot more pleasant than the man in front of it. <@Ciara> [Aka gives Katie a sympathetic look. "Are you getting over a cold? I can have the waitress bring some honey for the tea. It's very soothing."] * Katie shifts her attention to Aka and gives him the coldest stare she can manage. This is Katie, so that look is *cold*. "No." * Haruko smiles just a hint more. There's an icey elegence in a Katie stare that can be appreciated when not aimed at you. <@Ciara> [Aka seems fairly unperturbed. "As you wish. So." He looks at Kyon. "I apologize for the time in between Kobe-san's initial request and the scheduling of this meeting. We are all very busy people, some more than others."] * Kyon nods curtly. "We're here now. Kept working in the meantime. Lots to discuss." <@Ciara> [Aka makes a hmm sound. "I'm sure you've been very hard at work." He looks around the table at the group.] * Katie lets him. She tugs at distrctedly at her scarf and wishes she had water. Or that tea. Either would be great. <@Ciara> [As if summoned by thought alone, the waitress returns with four little pots of tea, which she distributes to each person. Then she scurries off!] * Katie pours tea. YES. But she doesn't drink it yet. Because hot. She wraps her hands around the cup. * Kyon cocks his head slightly to the side, resting his hand on top of his teapot lightly. "Must be busy yourself. New book out soon. Tours to plan." * Haruko takes a first sip, she appears to have a thought and contemplates saying something, but defers to Kyon. <@Ciara> [Aka nods. "Yes, it will be exciting. We had originally hoped to release it sooner, but there were delays." He smiles. "It makes the manuscript that was given away at one of my signings that much more of a collector's item."] * Katie glances at Haruko. We made sure it got to a fan. <@Ciara> [Aka looks at her. "Ah, yes, the young lady from the signing. It has been a while, hasn't it?"] * Kyon pours a small cup of the tea. "Getting through all the edits takes time, too. Have to make sure you get the story just right." * Katie judges her tea maybe cool enough and takes a careful sip. * Haruko smiles. "It's a whole new season even. So good to be remembered, but then even then you'd already used part of our stories. I imagine that helps with the busy-ness." <@Ciara> [Aka raises an eyebrow. "Your stories?"] You had one of my classmates give you information about me. * Kyon nods curtly. "Definitely similarities in your book to actual events." He smirks slightly. "Despite the disclaimer in the back." * Katie sips more tea, watching Aka carefully and not forgetting for one moment just who she's talking to and why. <@Ciara> [Aka looks at Katie. "That's quite the accusation. Do you have proof?"] * Katie tugs at her scarf now, loosening it and pulling it from her neck. "Rumors that pointed strongly to you," she rasps, folding the scarf, "and my classmate, who used to be pretty open about my past, forgetting afterwards but also working on your social media project." And your second book. I didn't like the ending. <@Ciara> [Aka looks at her. "That is your perogative." He doesn't seem surprised by the scar or the fact that she's read the book.] It is. This isn't yet a legal conversation, but your stories have some specific details drawing strongly from victims' lives. The end of the second book leaves room for more of that. In those cases where the victim hasn't chosen to share her story, that needs to stop. <@Ciara> ["And if one has?" Aka's voice is a bit softer.] * Kyon takes a sip of the tea, and he raises his eyebrows. "Then you're lying to your readers when you claim it's just a work of fiction." * Haruko glances over at Kyon for a moment. He cares more about integrity in fiction publishing than she realized. She probably shouldn't be surprised. <@Ciara> ["Ah, yes, because most people stop to read the publisher's disclaimer." Aka has a sip of tea.] * Haruko raises a hand. "As far as I'm concerned, that's between you, your mutual publisher, and your readers. But one victim can give permission for herself, but not for all." Why are you writing these books anyway? <@Ciara> [Aka sets his teacup down. "I've always enjoyed the supernatural. I saw a chance to tell a good story, and so I wrote one."] * Haruko is quiet for now, sipping tea again as she lets Katie take the lead. * Kyon regards him for a beat, quiet as well. * Katie sips her tea as he talks, then sets it down. "But that's not all of why you're writing it now." She picks up the teapot, pouring some more. <@Ciara> [Aka leans back slightly in his chair. "And why would you think that?"] * Katie gives Aka a look that says, 'seriously'. "Because of what you said and the way you said it." She gulps down more tea and looks at it, almost like she's blaming it for making her talk so much, then fixes her glare on Aka. "There's a lot of 'good stories' out there. Many of them, especially supernatural ones, have nothing to do with *real people*. That's what makes it *fiction*." * Haruko glances at Katie for a moment. Right, the truth thing. She fixes her glance back on Aka. <@Ciara> [Aka is about to answer, but then the waitress arrives with food and she bustles about, setting down plates, before quickly excusing herself.] <@Ciara> [After she leaves, Aka says, quietly, "And when the supernatural isn't fiction?"] As Katie said, we'd like to understand how that fits into your motives. You know the stories and that should tell you why we'd be concerned. But regardless of motives, there's the matter of permission when you get close to an individual's truth. * Katie is about to say something, but Haruko cuts her off and she angrily drinks her goddamn tea. * Kyon just watches him from across the table and drinks his own tea for the moment. <@Ciara> ["There are expectations of a second book. And a third." Aka has another sip of tea.] * Haruko's eyes flit over to Katie for a moment. She then picks up her tea cup herself and waits for it. * Haruko also loses all trace of a smile at that answer. Yeah. And you must really hate answering questions. Or coming up with new book ideas. * Katie snorts a little laugh. * Haruko smiles a little again at that and sips her Lady Grey. <@Ciara> [Aka looks at Kyon. "But the book is new. Nothing like this has been written before."] * Haruko coughs slightly in her tea before she realizes that in fairness, book 2 is a lot less like X. * Kyon snorts. "Another version of secret magic in high schools and hidden societies. You just made it darker." He shakes his head curtly. "But we know that's not all you meant to do with these. For why you're writing them." <@Ciara> ["All right, then," Aka says. "What do you really want?"] * Haruko stays silent for the moment. That's not her question to answer. To tell us why you're doing this. What do you get out of it? You can't dodge behind 'good stories' and 'people don't read things' - you write things for people to read them, you jackass, that's the *point*. You keep not answering some questions and partially answering others. That just means you have something ot hide. And obviously hiding obvious stuff behind a smile and uncaring is- * Katie stops for a second and everything becomes Far Too Quiet as all noise, even electronic humming, is blocked out. "And then you talk about real supernatural- you should know what's going on, what I went through, what *we* went through. You should know we're dangerous, and even if we're not about to hurt you, that doesn't mean we couldn't. So why? What are you getting out of it? Because you're using people to make this happen, so you'd better have a really good reason." * Kyon smirks at the other author, wrapping his hand around his cup of tea, and cocking his head slightly, taking in his reactions. <@Ciara> [Aka looks surprised as everything gets quiet, hand clutching his teacup just a bit more tightly. "This wasn't what I wanted. But it's too late now. The wheel has begun to turn."] * Katie nods and waves for him to continue. "Less riddles. More Japanese." * Haruko nods in agreement. <@Ciara> [Aka removes his glasses and rubs at his left temple. "It's too late. The signal has gone out. I've made my deal with the devil."] * Katie blinks. "Uehara-san." Her tone goes from harsh to gentle in a moment. "What happened?" * Kyon watches him for a moment, and then adds, "We know the devil. Might be able to help." <@Ciara> [Aka puts his glasses back on and shakes his head. "Not this devil. I..."] * Haruko looks confused, she glances around the room. <@Ciara> I wanted this. Until I got it. * Katie sips her tea, and she studies Aka. "To be one of us?" she guesses. "To know about us, and be let in?" * Kyon frowns, and tries, "Or to try to direct something? To get the power to act?" * Haruko looks over. "Uehara-kun. You're still new to this. You're feeling sorry for yourself and no longer the master of your own universe. And that's true, but you know our story and you have seen how we can change things for people willing to change." <@Ciara> [Aka stands up. "I wanted to succeed where he had failed."] * Haruko stands as well and keeps speaking in a quite but urgent tone. "But you don't get to make all your decisions in secret and suddenly deny agency when the going gets hard. Your brother stood up when the time came and he's working to take responsibility now. That's the *least* you can do." * Kyon watches him, moving from frowning to scowling, hands flat on the table, not moving yet. <@Ciara> [Aka takes a step towards the doorway. "I've paid for the room and the meal in advance. You're welcome to stay as long as you want."] * Kyon stares at him, and his eyes flash red. "Same for you. Not time for you to go yet." <@Ciara> [Aka freezes. "That's... quite hypnotic."] * Katie stands. "Who failed, and who's the devil you made a deal with? What's the signal that went out?" She pauses, briefly, then says, "You sound like you're in over your head, Uehara-san. Maybe we can help you." * Katie's voice is fading, a bit - she's been taxing it harder than she'd have liked. But thanks to the dead silence outside, she's still easy enough to hear. * Kyon smirks. "We know a lot. We know how to handle ourselves. We're finding out what's going on. And you don't have to be against us." <@Ciara> [Aka shakes his head. "It's too late. I've chosen my side in this fight. They'll *know*."] <@Ciara> I won't be a failure like my brother! * Haruko walks up and puts her hand on Aka's shoulder. "If we're on opposite sides, I'll live. But I want you to promise me you'll leave out details on victims that want to stay out. Thats your choice, that's your power as an author. I know what real failure looks like and what it takes to start to overcome it." * Kyon slowly stands up, still watching him, drawing himself up to his full height. * Katie also stands, turning her scarf in her hands. <@Ciara> [Aka swallows. "I can't stop the second book from coming out. I can't."] * Haruko nods. "I understand, but the details matter. And the resolution of the cliffhanger matters a lot too." <@Ciara> The next step has yet to be completed. Then promise to do what can. That's all any of us can do. * Kyon says quietly, "Just think about it. Got a good editor. You can come up with something." He cocks his head slightly. <@Ciara> [Aka takes a breath. "You know how to contact me," he says to Kyon. "Please, though, I need to leave."] * Katie raises her eyebrows, and she looks at Kyon. * Haruko shakes her head, sighs, and lets go. * Kyon nods quickly, and looks to the door. "Talk with you soon." * Haruko walks over to her purse, hanging by the chair, not sparing Aka a backwards glance. <@Ciara> [Aka bows and hurries out of the room.] * Kyon watches him go, and then reaches down, grabs his cup, and drinks the rest of his tea. * Haruko takes her phone out. "I have a roommate to call about a room and the opportunity to order enough snacks to kick off an announcement party for running for club president, if nobody minds." * Katie drapes her scarf around her neck and picks up her tea, also drinking it while still standing. She waits for Aka to leave the bubble before she says, softly, "The chink in the World's armor, huh. I should talk to Masaru." And then Haruko says that, and she grins. <@Ciara> [Haruko has just earned herself BEST ROOMMATE status.] <@Ciara> [Session End!]